Duke Ellington's Influence On Jazz

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Duke Ellington once said, “Music is my mistress, and she plays second fiddle to no one.” and he could not have been more right in his judgment. As proven by his extensive career and outstanding accomplishments, Duke Ellington, a famous composer, pianist, and bandleader, is one, if not the most, influential and critical musical figures in the history of Jazz; Not only did he create his own unique and eclectic musical sound, but he also used his innovation and experimentation to design some of the most complex musical compositions, thus setting the standard for future musical generations to come.

Born on April 29, 1899 in Washington D.C, Edward Kennedy Ellington was raised by middle-class parents James Edward Ellington and Daisy Kennedy Ellington; …show more content…
During this time they regularly played at The Hollywood Club, and under Ellington’s leadership the group was able to expand to a 10-piece ensemble. In 1927 they moved and played at the Cotton Club, an exclusive club catered to whites, and it was here when Ellington began to develop his own sound. He usually searched for musicians who had a rare sound, such as the growling of James "Bubber" Miley, a trumpeter, and this only helped to define Ellington’s music and make it that much harder to replicate. Ellington’s band quickly gained national attention through radio broadcasts and record deals as hits were made such as “Satin Doll,” “Sophisticated Lady,” and “Mood Indigo,”, and they even had two tours in Europe during this time. However as the Great Depression and World War 2 approached, Ellington’s career took a hit as money got tight and the music industry lost popularity. It wasn’t until the 1950’s that Ellington’s career would revive when he played at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1956 and captured the hearts of a new generation of jazz fans. Shortly after, Ellington and his band toured Europe and played in Asia, West Africa, South America and Australia as they gained international

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